Apparatus for coiling strand material such as textile silver

ABSTRACT

Strand material is coiled into a container through a rotating coil forming member by means of a pair of calender rolls, at least one of which comprises a tubular shell spaced from and surrounding its rotational axis, with resilient means; preferably elastomeric material, positioned between the shell and its axis to permit lateral displacement of the shell relative to its axis by strand material passing between the calender rolls. Also disclosed is apparatus for coiling strand material of substantial bulk or width, in which a pair of frustoconicallyshaped calender rolls are arranged to advance strand material through a coil forming member eccentrically thereof, such that the outer edge of the strand material is advanced at a faster rate than the inner edge of the strand material to compensate for the difference in the diameters of the outer and inner edges of the coils of strand material being deposited in the container.

[ APPARATUS FOR COILING STRAND MATERIAL SUCHYAS TEXTILE SILVER [451 Apr. 24, 1973 Primary ExaminerDursey Newton [75] Inventor: Herman S. Johns, Patterson, N.C. Attorney parrott ssltzer Park & Gibson [73] Assignee: Wellman Industries, Inc., Johnson- [57] ABSTRACT ville, S.C. Strand material is coiled into a container through a Flledi 1970 rotating coil forming member by means of a pair of [21 APPL Na: 81,738 calender rolls, at least one of which comprises a tubular shell spaced from and surrounding its rotatlonal axis, with resilient means; preferably elastomeric [52] US. Cl. ..19/159 R material, positioned between the Shell and its axis to [51] it. C]. 54/76 permit lateral displacement of the She" relative to its Fleld of Search axis Strand material p g between the calender 29/129, 129.5, 116 R folk [56] References Cited Also disclosed is apparatus for coiling strand material of substantial bulk or width, in which a pair of UNITED STATES PATENTS frustoconically-shaped calender rolls are arranged to 3,355,775 12/1967 Whitehurst ..19 159 R advance Strand material through a Coil forming 3,097,022 7/1963 Sernetz 29/116R member eccentrically thereof, such that the outer l ,290 /1914 r h et a1. 9/239 edge of the strand material is advanced at a faster rate 3,402,433 9/ 1968 SChwalm 5 -19/159 R than the inner edge of the strand material to compen- 3,387,34O 6/1968 Caldwell et a1. ..19/159R Sate for the difference in the diameters of the outer and inner edges Of COilS Of strand material being deposited in the container. 1,047,081 12/1958 Germany ..19/159 R 712,794 7/1965 Canada ..29/129.5 3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures $11 11 1\ 67 A 3 .f 1 r- "r 1 4 111 68 2A- 1 I l l 11 1 1 l 92 51 5A 5 I 37(112 .Y-J.fi; I 8 7 v" "4O 25 90 I I l 1 o 42 1 g1 M5176 0 i I H6 82 Patented April 24, 1973 3,728,760

6 Sheets-Sheet l Patented April 24, 1973 INVENTOR.

HEEM AN 3. J0 HNS I QP 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN E Y5 Patented April 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Shoot 5 Patented April 24, 1973 3,728,760

" 6 Sheets- Sheet 4 INVENTORZ HERMAN 5.

JOHNS ATTORNEYS Patented April 24, 1973 3,728,760

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORI HERMAKZ $.3oHNs ATTORNEYS Patented April 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. 8 HERMAN SJoHMs ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR COILING STRAND MATERIAL SUCH AS TEXTILE SILVER BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION the coiling of strands of staple fiber textile slivers into silver cans.

Typically, the coiler head of a coiler is provided with a rotary coil forming member which, in most coilers, is mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis, and the sliver or other strand material to be coiled is directed axially into the coil forming member but emerges therefrom at a point eccentrically of the coil forming member so as to lay the sliver in the form of substantially circular or elliptical coils in a sliver can or other suitable container. In all such coilers, to my knowledge, the sliver is directed through the coiler head by means of a pair of calender rolls. In some instances the calender rolls rotate on fixed axes and in other instances they rotate about the axis of the coil forming member in addition to rotating about their own axes, which own axes extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the rotational axis of the coil forming member. Also, various types of calender rolls have been used in association with coilers, such as smoothfaced rolls, or fluted rolls.

In any event, one or the other, or both, of the calender rolls of each pair must be yieldably supported so that, on the one hand, they will apply sufficient pressure to the sliver passing through the nip thereof to advance the sliver and, on the other hand, at least one of the calender rolls will yield relative ,to the other calender roll so as to avoid damaging the coiler in the event of an abnormally thick portion of the sliver entering such nip, or upon lap-up of the sliver or waste therefrom about either or both rolls of the pair, or upon a foreign object entering such nip. Heretofore, the yieldable supporting means have included a number of special parts which had to be assembled in sometimes quite limited areas and have required that the supporting shaft for at least one of the calender rolls of a pair be laterally displaceable. To accommodate lateral displacement of either calender roll shaft becomes a critical problem where the calender rolls must be installed in relatively small areas or where a laterally displaceable calender roll is to be driven directly be gearing, sprocket chains or other transmission means connected directly to the shaft thereof.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide, in combination with the coil forming member of a coiler, calender roll means in which at least one of the calender rolls of an adjacent pair is yieldably displaceable laterally of the other calender roll of the pair and laterally of its own rotational axis; i.e., without the necessity of any lateral displacement being imparted to the particular shaft on which the displaceable calender roll is mounted.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a coiler having at least a pair of cooperating calender rolls, wherein at least one of the calender rolls comprises a tubular shell spaced from and surrounding its rotational axis, with resilient means; preferably an elastomer, positioned between the shell and its rotational axis so as to permit lateral displacement of the shell relative to its axis by sliver or other strand material passing between the calender rolls.

As heretofore indicated, there are known coilers having a pair of calender rolls adjacent the egress portion ofa rotary coil forming member; i.e., the calender rolls are positioned eccentrically of the rotational axis of the coil forming member. Heretofore, such eccentrically positioned calender rolls have been cylindrically shaped. It follows that the surface speed of each calender roll has thus been uniform throughout its cylindrical peripheral surface. Such uniform surface speed has not presented any serious problem in the coiling of strand material of relatively small cross-sectional area or diameter, such as textile slivers weighing up to grains per yard, for example. However, in the coiling of relatively large, bulky or wide strand material, such as textile slivers weighing from about one-half ounce to 3 ounces or more per yard, there is a substantial difference between the orbital speed at which the inner edge of the material at the calender rolls is traveling about the rotational axis of the coil forming member as compared to the orbital speed of the outer edge of the material about such rotational axis. Consequently, in the coiling of a large sliver into a sliver can, the fibers defining the outer portions of the coils of sliver being formed may be of lesser density than the fibers forming the inner portions of the coils. This causes the inner portions of the coils to be wavy or distorted and the outer portions of the coils ,to be stretched or drafted with a consequent uneven distribution of the fibers.

It is therefore another object of this invention to provide apparatus for feeding a strand material outwardly from and eccentrically of a coil forming member in such a manner that the density of the sliver forming each coil is substantially uniform at both the inner and outer edges thereof.

It is another more specific object of this invention to provide, in combination with a coiler having a rotating coil forming member for coiling strand material into a container therebeneath, the improvement of means for feeding the strand material through the coil forming member eccentrically of the axis of rotation thereof while feeding the portion of the material forming the outer edges of the coils at a faster rate than the portion of the material forming the inner edges of the coils so as to compensate for the difference in diameter of the inner and outer edges of the coils being formed in the container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the character last described, wherein the sliver feeding means comprises a pair of elongate frustoconical calender rolls forming a nip therebetween eccentrically of the coil forming member for receiving and advancing textile sliver through the coil forming member. The calender rolls are supported with their longitudinal axes extending in substantially radially converging relationship toward the vertical axis of the coil forming member, and for orbital rotation with and about the axis of the coil forming member, so that the outer edge portion of the sliver with respect to the axis of the coil forming member is advanced through the nip of the calender rolls at a faster rate than the inner edge portion of the sliver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a right-hand side elevation of a textile sliver coiler embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the coiler of FIG.

'1, with parts broken away, and omitting the coiler head cover and other upper portions of the coiler head for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 3A--3A in FIG. 3 and showing how the shells of the calender rolls are displaced relative to the calender roll shafts by sliver passing through the nip of the calender rolls;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic, exploded, perspective view of the coiler head embodying the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a lower left-hand portion of FIG. 3, particularly illustrating the construction of one of the calender rolls, the calender roll of FIG. 5 being shown displaced about 180 from the position in which it is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 2, showing a modified form of coil forming member and related calender rolls;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectionalview through one of the modified calender rolls taken substantially along line 7-7 in FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 88 in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring more specifically to the drawings, as illustrated, the textile coiler embodying the invention is designed to accommodate a relatively large, heavy sliver; e.g., wool or worsted sliver weighing up to 3 ounces or more per yard. However, it is to be understood that the coiler is adaptable for coiling small slivers or any other kind of coilable strand material. Also, the novel features of the coiler to be described hereinafter are applicable to otherwise conventional coilers of either the planetary type, in which both the spectacle and the coil forming member rotate relative to each other, or the standard type, in which the spectacle remains stationary and the coil forming member rotates within the spectacle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the coiler comprises a base 10 made from sheet metal or the like for receiving thereon a sliver container or can 11. As preferred, sliver can 11 may be of the type disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 52,408, filed July 6, l970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,640 and entitled TEXTILE COILER WITH COOPERATING DRIVE MEANS AND SLIVER CAN LOCATING MEANS. Sliver can 11 comprises a substantially cylindrical, open-topped body 12, and a bottom 13 about which an annular gear 14 is secured. Bottom 13 is supported on wheeled casters l5 and has a centrally located pilot member 16 depending therefrom and engageable with a centering or locating device 17 secured to and extending upwardly from base 10.

A plurality of upright posts or columns 20, 21, 22 are secured to base 10 and support a frame 23 of a coiler head broadly designated at 24. Coiler head 24 comprises a substantially horizontally disposed spectacle 25 and a platform 26 spaced above spectacle 25. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotary coil forming member or circular coiler plate 27, is positioned in a corresponding opening provided in spectacle 25. Coiler plate 27 overlies sliver can 11, and the lower surfaces of spectacle 25 and coiler plate 27 are substantially flush with each other. Coiler plate 27 is of substantially lesser diameter than sliver can 1 1, and the substantially vertical rotational axis of coiler plate 27 is off-set relative to the axis of sliver can 11. Coiler plate 27 is provided with an eccentrically positioned sliver delivery opening or passage 30 therethrough which may be circular as shown in FIG. 4 and into and through which a strand of sliver S is directed by calendering means, to be later described, for coiling the sliver into the rotating sliver can 1 1.

By means of a plurality of circularly arranged spacing bars or posts 31-34 (FIGS. 3 and 4) coiler plate 27 is secured to and suspended from a substantially circular rotary support plate 37 also serving as a calender roll support plate. Rotary support plate 37 is of greater diameter than coiler plate 27 and is suitably secured to the upper surface of an annular, inner, rotary race member 40 whose peripherally grooved outer surface is engaged by a circular series of balls 41 (FIGS. 3 and 5) which also engage the inner peripherally grooved surface of an annular, outer, stationary race member 42. Thus, race members 40, 42 and balls 41 form collectively an anti-friction bearing for supporting the support plate 37 and coiler plate 27. The stationary outer race member 42 is suitably secured to the coiler head frame 23.

A pair of substantially horizontally disposed, spaced apart and substantially parallel reinforcing bars 44 are suitably secured upon support plate 37 and extend upwardly therefrom through a substantially circular opening 45 (FIGS. 2 and 4) formed in platform 26and which may be of about the same diameter as coiler plate 27, but is of substantially lesser diameter than support plate 37. A generally rectangular coiler tube support plate 46 is suitably secured to the upper surfaces of reinforcing bars 44 and has an upstanding coiler tube bracket 47, substantially U-shaped in plan, suitably secured thereto.

Welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper portion of bracket 47 is a downwardly and outwardly inclined, tapered, coiler tube 50 whose smaller, open,

lower end terminates above and closely adjacent a lower sliver condensing ring 51 positioned eccentrically of the rotational axis of coiler plate 27. Ring 51 is spaced above and substantially aligned with sliver delivery opening 30 of coiler plate 27, and may be loosely positioned in a suitable opening provided therefor in coiler tube support plate 46 (see FIG. 5). Lower sliver condensing ring 51 is, in turn, carried by a suitable bracket 53 suitably secured to coiler tube support plate 46 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4).

An intermediate sliver guiding or condensing ring 55 is supported in substantially concentric relation to the substantially vertical axis of coiler plate 27 and positioned closely adjacent the upper or ingress end of coiler tube 50. Further, an upper sliver guiding and condensing ring 56 is spaced above and disposed in substantially axial alignment with intermediate ring 55. All of the sliver condensing rings 51, 55, 56 preferably are made from or coated with a smooth ceramic material.

The sliver guiding or condensing rings 56, 55, 51 are of progressively smaller internal diameter, in that order, so as to apply a progressive condensing action to the sliver S in its course into and through coiler head 24. Preferably, condensing rings 51, 55 are of lesser internal diameter than the respective lower and upper ends of coiler tube 50.

In the processing of a large worsted sliver weighing about 2 /2 to 3 /2 ounces per yard, for example, it has been found that the internal diameters of rings 51, 55, 56 should be about 2 /2 inches, 4 inches and 6 inches, respectively, and that the internal diameters of the lower and upper ends of coiler tube 50 should be about 3 inches and 4 /2 inches, respectively. A generally proportionally smaller coiler tube 50 and condensing rings 51, 55, 56 would be used in the coiling of smaller slivers. The intermediate and upper sliver condensing rings 55, 51 are loosely supported in respective ringlike flanged brackets 60, 61. Bracket 60 is suitably secured to the upper end of coiler tube 50 and also has the lower, smaller, end of a funnel 62 suitably secured thereto. The larger upper end of funnel 62 preferably surrounds the lower portion of bracket 61 to aid in guiding sliver S from ring 56 to ring 55 and into coiler tube 50. Upper bracket 61 may be suitably secured to a funnel portion 63 ofa conveyor frame 64 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

The egress portion of conveyor frame 64 is carried by arms 65 suitably secured to and extending upwardly from coiler head frame 23. Conveyor frame 64 rotatably supports a pair of upper and lower rollers 66, 67, and the egress portion of a driven endless conveyor belt 70 is mounted on lower roller 67 to serve as means for deliverying sliver S from a suitable source, not shown, into coiler head 24. From the foregoing description it is apparent that the funnel 62, lower ring-like bracket 60, coiler tube 50, coiler tube support plate 46, and calender roll support plate 37 rotate in concert with coiler plate 27. A suitable frustoconical cover 68, in the form of a pair of substantially frustoconically segmental sliding doors, is suitably supported on platform 26 so as to enclose the coiler tube and its support plate 46 therein.

The condensing rings 55, 56 preferably are loosely mounted in the brackets 60, 61 so that they may be turned about their axes in either direction in accordance with any twisting or gyrating of the sliver passing therethrough so as to minimize frictional resistance of these rings to the passage of the sliver therethrough. The tapered configuration of coiler tube 50 aids in the progressive condensing of sliver S in its course through coiler head 24. More importantly, the tapered configuration of tube 50 aids an operator in piecing up the sliver within and above tube 50. That is, a leading sliver portion need only be placed in overlapping contiguous relation to a trailing sliver portion, and as they pass through tube 50, such portions are compacted by the tube so that the fibers thereof become intermingled and thereby coherently united.

Carried by calender roll support plate 37, and disposed between lower sliver condensing ring 51 and sliver delivery opening 30 of coiler plate 27, is a calendering means, comprising a pair of frustoconical calender rolls 74, 75, for receiving and advancing the textile sliver S through sliver delivery opening 30. Calender rolls 74, are supported with their longitudinal axes extending in substantially horizontal and substantially radially converging relationship toward the substantially vertical, predetermined, rotational axis of coiler plate 27. Additionally, calender rolls 74, 75 are mounted for orbital rotation with and about the vertical axis of coiler plate 27 so that the outer portion of the sliver with respect to the axis of coiler plate 27 is advanced through the nip of the calender rolls at a faster rate than the inner portion thereof to compensate for the difference in the diameter of the proximal and outer edges of the substantially elliptically-shaped coils of the sliver being deposited in sliver can 11.

Since coiler head 24 is particularly useful for coiling large wool or worsted slivers into coiler cans, although not limited thereto, it is preferred that calender rolls 74, 75 are driven at the same relative surface speed but independently of each other so as to avoid slippage or scuffing of the stock therebetween. Therefore, calender rolls 74, 75 are mounted on respective substantially horizontally disposed calender roll shafts 76, 77 journaled in respective pairs of bearing blocks 80, 81; 82, 83 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) suitably secured to and depending from calender roll support plate 37. Since both shafts 76, 77 extend substantially radially with respect to the axis of coiler plate 27, shaft 77 is relatively short as compared to the length of shaft 76. This is also desirable to accommodate the drive of rolls 74, 75 in opposite directions relative to each other.

Drive means is provided for rotating coiler plate 27, support plates 37, 46, coiler tube 50, bracket 60 and funnel 62 about a common substantially vertical axis. Such drive means also rotates sliver can 11 and calender roll shafts 76, 77 during orbital movement of calender rolls 74, 75 about the axis of coiler plate 27. Accordingly, a suitable gear box (FIGS. 1-3) is secured upon spectacle 25 rearwardly of coiler plate 27 and extends upwardly through an opening provided rearwardly of platform 26. Gear box 90 contains a worm 91 fixed on a substantially horizontal drive shaft 92. A worm gear 93 meshing with worm 91 is fixed on the upper portion of a substantially vertically disposed coiler shaft 94. Thus, coiler shaft 94 is rotated at a very slow speed relative to the speed of drive shaft 92.

As shown in FIG. 1, coiler shaft 94 extends downwardly and has a gear or sprocket wheel 95 fixed thereon for drivingly engaging and transmitting rotation to the annular gear 14 on sliver can 11 to rotate the same at a predetermined relatively slow speed with respect to coiler plate 27. As shown in FIG. 4, the rear portion of drive shaft 92 has a worm gear 96 fixed thereon which meshes with a worm 97 fixed on the output shaft 100 of a suitable manually adjustable variable speed drive mechanism or speed variator 101 of conventional or other construction, and which is driven by a motor 102. Since speed variators are well known, a detailed description thereof will not be given herein. However, reference is made to page 3 of a Catalog M-592, dated June 1, 1949, entitled REEVES varispeed MOTODRIVES, published by Reeves Pulley Company, Columbus, Indiana, for disclosure ofa suitable speed variator.

The forward portion of drive shaft 92 overlies the rear portion of platform 26 and has a pinion 110 (FIGS. 3, 4 and fixed thereon, shown in the form of a sprocket wheel, whose lower portion extends through an opening 111 in platform 26 and engages an annular rack or ring gear 112. Gear 112 is suitably secured to the upper surface of, and is concentrically arranged with respect to, calender roll support plate 37. Conveniently, gear 112 is shown in the form of a relatively thin annular plate provided with a circular series of equally spaced radially extending slots 112a therethrough engageable by the teeth of sprocket wheel 110. If desired, slots 112a may be formed in calender roll support plate 37, in which case, annular plate 112 may be omitted.

It is thus seen that pinion 110 transmits rotary motion to coiler plate 27 and associated parts while imparting orbital movement to calender rolls 74, 75 about the axis of coiler plate 27. At the same time, rotation is imparted to calender rolls 74, 75 about their own respective axes, by means ofa pair of pinions 115, 116 shown in the form of sprocket wheels in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Pinions 115, 116 are fixed on the respective calender roll shafts 76, 77 and their upper portions engage substantially diametrically opposed portions ofa stationary annular rack or gear 117 (FIGS. 2 and 4) carried by platform 26. As shown, gear 117 is in the form ofa circular series of equally spaced radially extending slots formed in platform 26 adjacent the periphery of circu' lar opening 45. The slots of rack 117 define teeth therebetween engageable with sprocket wheels 115, 116.

It is thus seen that, during orbital movement of calender rolls 74, 75 with clockwise rotation of coiler plate 27, pinions 115, 116 are rotated through engagement thereof with stationary rack 117 to impart rotation to the respective calender rolls 74, 75 in opposite directions relative to each other. .As best shown in FIG. 4, calender roll support plate 37 is provided with an opening 120 therethrough, through which the upper portions of calender rolls 74, 75 and pinion 116 extend so that the nip of calender rolls 74, 75 is positioned closely beneath lower sliver condensing ring 51.

Since both calender rolls 74, 75 are driven independently of each other, as is preferred, and either or both calender rolls must yield to accommodate and grip the sliver S therebetween, at least one, and preferably both, of the calender rolls 74, 75 are constructed in the manner of calender roll 75 as shown inFIG. 5. Essentially, roll 75 comprises a tubular shell 124 (FIG. 5)

spaced from and surrounding its rotational axis, with resilient means 125 positioned between shell 124 and its rotational axis to permit lateral displacement of shell 124 relative to its rotational axis by strand material passing between calender rolls 74, 75. Assuming both rolls 74, 75 are of the same construction, it will be observed in FIG. 3A that the sliver S has displaced the shells 124 thereof laterally outwardly so that they are positioned eccentrically of their shafts 76, 77.

As shown in FIG. 5, tubular shell 124 is of circular external cross-section, but is of frustoconical or longitudinally tapered form. Preferably, tubular shell 124 is composed of a rigid, non-deformable material such as metal or plastic, and if desired, a covering of softer or yieldable material, not shown, may be applied to the outer surface of shell 124 without departing from the invention. In its preferred embodiment, although the resilient means 125 may be connected directly to shaft 77, calender roll further comprises a tubular core 126, preferably made from a rigid material, and keyed or otherwise secured on shaft 77.

In its preferred embodiment, the resilient means 125 comprises a molded, deformable, elastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, positioned between proximal surfaces of shell 124 and core 126. Resilient means 125 may serve to interconnect the shell and the core, as by vulcanizing or otherwise securing the elastomeric material to the proximal surfaces of shell 124 and core 126. It should be noted that, although an interconnection is desirable between shell 124 and resilient means 125 for ensuring unitary movement or rotation thereof under all conditions, it has been determined that frictional engagement of shell 124 with the resilient means alone is adequate under relatively light nip pressure conditions and/or when a relatively lightweight sliver is being advanced between the calender rolls 74, 75. As shown, sleeve 124 of roll 75 is normally substantially concentric of the core 126 and shaft 77. To ensure a fixed rotational relationship or traction between core 126 and the elastomeric material 125 under all conditions, and also to deter splitting or fragmenting of the elastomeric material, core 126 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced peripheral ridges thereon which project into the elastomeric material molded therearound. In FIG. 5, three such annular ridges are shown and indicated at 131, 132, 133, with axially opposing sides of each ridge 131, 132, 133 preferably being beveled at an included angle of about 60 to The outer peripheral portion of the centermost ridge 132 is provided with a plurality of notches therein for receiving corresponding elongate traction pins 135 therein, there preferably being about four to six of the pins 135 arranged in substantially equally spaced relationship about core 126. Since the elastomeric material is molded around pins'135 as well as ridges 131,

132, 133 and the body of core 126, the ridges prevent longitudinal or axial movement of the elastomeric material relative to core 126 and also are aided by the pins 135 in preventing relative rotational movement between core 126 and the elastomeric material, thereby ensuring that shaft 77 will impart rotation to tubular shell 124 in fixed rotational relationship thereto.

Among the important advantages in the use i of calender rolls constructed in the manner of roll 75 in FIG. 5 is that is is unnecessary to mount the supporting shaft for either calender roll for lateral movement or to provide means for yieldably biasing either calender roll shaft toward the other to effect gripping of the sliver between the rolls. Also if desired, the rolls 74, 75 may be spaced apart at the nip thereof in the absence of a sliver strand therebetween, as may be desirable to facilitate threading very large, bulky slivers and the like through the calender rolls.

As shown in FIG. 5, the elastomeric material extends as a substantially solid or uninterrupted mass between tubular shell 124 and core 126 adjacent one end of shell 124 to a point adjacent the opposite end of shell 124, as may be desirable. In practice, it has been found that the larger end portion of shell 124 is more easily displaced relative to core 126 than the smaller end portion of shell 124 when the elastomeric material is entirely of one solid mass. For example, a coiler of the type disclosed herein was used having both calender rolls 74, 75 constructed as in FIG. 5. Each roll 74, 75 was about 6 /2 inches long with its smaller end being 3% inches in diameter and its larger end being about 5 /8 inches in diameter. Upon passing a relatively large textile sliver through the nip of the latter calender rolls the sliver forced the calender roll shells 124 apart from each other so that the gap formed therebetween was about one-fourth inch wide between the smaller end of the calender rolls as compared to the gap being about three-eighths inch wide between the larger ends of the calender rolls. However, such difference between the widths of the inner and outer ends of the gap between the calender rolls had no noticeable deleterious affect on the coiling operation.

MODIFIED EMBODIMENT With the exception of the calender rolls and the shape of the sliver delivery opening or passage in the rotary coil forming member, the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-8 may be identical to that shown in FIGS. 15. Therefore, those parts shown in FIGS. 6-8 which correspond to like or generally similar parts shown in FIGS. l-5 will bear the same reference characters, where applicable, with the prime notation added.

As shown in FIG. 6, coil forming member 27 differs from member 27 as shown in FIG. 4 in that, instead of being provided with a circular sliver delivery opening, it is provided with an elongate radially extending slot 30' serving as the sliver delivery opening, although opening 30 may be in the form of a narrow slot, if desirable. Normally, the sliver S tends to assume a generally circular cross-sectional configuration. However, as the sliver is squeezed between calender rolls, it is flattened into the form of a ribbon or web of generally rectangular cross-section, but in passing through the circular sliver delivery opening 30 of FIG. 4, the sliver may easily return to its generally circular dross-sectional form.

Although the coiling of the sliver into a sliver can is not adversely affected by guiding the sliver through the circular delivery opening 30 in the coil forming member 27, the use of the elongate radial slot sliver delivery opening 30 in the coil forming member 27 of FIG. 6 urges the silver to retain its flattened or generally rectangular cross-sectional form in its course from calender rolls 74', 75' into the sliver can and thereby facilitates depositing a greater amount of sliver in a sliver can of a given size as compared to the amount of sliver which may be deposited in the same size sliver can utilizing the circular sliver delivery opening 30 of FIG. 4 in coil forming member 27.

.The calender rolls 74', 75 shown in FIGS. 6-8 differ from the calender rolls 74, 75 shown in FIGS. 2-5 in that rolls 74, 75 are cylindrically-shaped instead of being frustoconical. In all other respects, either or both rolls 74, 75 may be constructed in the manner of the calender roll 75 of FIG. 5.

Accordingly, each calender roll 74, 75' comprises a cylindrical tubular shell 124 spaced from and surrounding its rotational axis, with resilient means 125' positioned between each shell 124' and its rotational axis to permit lateral displacement of each shell 124 relative to its rotational axis. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the resilient means 125 for each roll 74, 75 is in the form of an elastomer, as is the case with respect to roll 75, positioned between and vulcanized or otherwise bonded to the respective tubular shells 124' and cores 126'. Each cylindrical calender roll 74, 75' may also include annular ridges 131, 132', 133' and pins 135' corresponding to and serving the same purpose as the ridges 131, 132, 133 and pins 135 of calender roll 75 in FIG. 5.

The cores 126', 126' are keyed or otherwise secured on shafts 76, 77 but because of the cylindrical shape of tubular shells 124', 124, rolls 74', 75' are driven in a somewhat different manner from that of rolls 74, 75. To this end, it will be observed in FIGS. 6 and 7 that both shafts 76', 77' are relatively short and journaled in respective adjacent sets of bearing blocks 80', 81'; 82', 83' depending from calender roll support plate 37, with intermeshing gears 140, 141 fixed on the respective shafts 76, 77 adjacent the outer bearing blocks The inner end of shaft 76' is connected, by means of a universal joint connector 142, to one end of a jack shaft 76a. Jack shaft 76a extends substantially radially through the rotational axis of coil forming member 27', calender roll support plate 37 and coiler tube support plate 46', and has a pinion or sprocket wheel fixed thereon and meshing with the stationary rack 117 formed of the circular series of radial slots in platform 26'. Jack shaft 76a is journaled in bearing blocks 80a, 81a depending from support plate 37. In other respects, the coiler head 24' of FIGS. 6-8 may be identical to that of FIGS. l-5 and, therefore, a more detailed description of coiler head 24 is deemed unnecessary.

It is apparent that coil forming member 27', calender roll support plate 37 and coiler tube support plate 46 are rotated about a common vertical axis, thus causing pinion 115 to traverse stationary gear 117 and thereby drive the cylindrical calender rolls 74, 75' through the intermeshing gears 140, 141 thereof.

It is thus seen that I have provided an improved coiler in which strand material is coiled into a container by means of a coil forming member through which the strand material is fed or directed by a pair of calender rolls, at least one of which comprises a tubular shell which is laterally displaced relative to its rotational axis or supporting shaft by the strand material passing between the calender rolls. It is seen further that I have provided a novel apparatus for coiling the strand material, utilizing a pair of frustoconical calender rolls eccentrically positioned relative to the rotational axis of the coil forming member on which they are mounted, so as to feed the outer edge portion of the strand material through the nip thereof at a faster rate than that at which the inner edge portion of the strand material is being fed through the nip of the calender rolls.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in rotational axis of said coil forming member, drive gears fixed to said calender rolls, each calender roll further comprising resilient elastomeric means positioned between its tubular shell and its respective rotational axis and substantially filling the same to permit lateral displacement of said shells relative to their respective axes by strand material passing between said shells while applying a resilient-nip pressure to the strand material, and drive means operatively connected to both of said gears so that both calender rolls are rotated positively in relatively opposite directions.

2. In a coiler having means, including a driven rotary coil forming member and a pair of calender rolls, for coiling strand material into a container; the improvement wherein each of the calender rolls comprises a rigid tubular frusto-conical shell spaced from and surrounding its own rotational axis with the rotational axes extending in substantially radially converging relationship towards the rotational axis of said coil forming member so that the outer portion of the strand material with respect to the rotational axis of said coil forming member is advanced through the nip of the calender rolls at a faster rate than the inner portion of the strand material, each calender roll further comprising resilient means positioned between its tubular shell and its respective rotational axis to permit lateral displacement of said shell relative to said axis by strand material passing between the calender rolls, pinion means disposed in fixed axial relation to the respective calender rolls for transmitting rotation to both of said calender rolls so that both calender rolls are rotated positively in elatively opposite directions, and substantially circular rack means disposed concentrically of said coil forming member and engaging said pinion means and relative to which said coil forming member and said calender rolls rotate collectively whereby said rack means transmits rotation to said calender rolls on their own axes during rotation of said coil forming member.

3. In a coiler according to claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises deformable elastomeric material. 

1. In a coileR having means, including a rotary coil forming member and a pair of calender rolls, for coiling strand material into a container; the improvement comprising means maintaining the rotational axes of said pair of calender rolls in fixed relation to each other, each of said calender rolls comprises a rigid tubular frusto-conical shell spaced from and surrounding its own rotational axis, the shell axes extending angularly to each other and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said coil forming member, drive gears fixed to said calender rolls, each calender roll further comprising resilient elastomeric means positioned between its tubular shell and its respective rotational axis and substantially filling the same to permit lateral displacement of said shells relative to their respective axes by strand material passing between said shells while applying a resilient nip pressure to the strand material, and drive means operatively connected to both of said gears so that both calender rolls are rotated positively in relatively opposite directions.
 2. In a coiler having means, including a driven rotary coil forming member and a pair of calender rolls, for coiling strand material into a container; the improvement wherein each of the calender rolls comprises a rigid tubular frusto-conical shell spaced from and surrounding its own rotational axis with the rotational axes extending in substantially radially converging relationship towards the rotational axis of said coil forming member so that the outer portion of the strand material with respect to the rotational axis of said coil forming member is advanced through the nip of the calender rolls at a faster rate than the inner portion of the strand material, each calender roll further comprising resilient means positioned between its tubular shell and its respective rotational axis to permit lateral displacement of said shell relative to said axis by strand material passing between the calender rolls, pinion means disposed in fixed axial relation to the respective calender rolls for transmitting rotation to both of said calender rolls so that both calender rolls are rotated positively in relatively opposite directions, and substantially circular rack means disposed concentrically of said coil forming member and engaging said pinion means and relative to which said coil forming member and said calender rolls rotate collectively whereby said rack means transmits rotation to said calender rolls on their own axes during rotation of said coil forming member.
 3. In a coiler according to claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises deformable elastomeric material. 